ParisParis is seen by many as one of the most romantic urban destinations in the world, and rightly so! The backdrop of beautiful buildings, wide, sweeping boulevards, young lovers and fishermen by the river banks of the Seine, combined with a picnic basket of tasty morsels and good wine….even without a loved one by your side you may feel yourself getting carried away by it all. The city accommodates a vast range of sights and things to do, as well as plenty of places to just sit and soak in the Parisian atmosphere. Stay for a short city trip or take out a longer rental with a view to stay a few weeks, either way there will be a wealth of museums to peruse, shops to browse, sights to marvel at and fine dining to be enjoyed. Whether you decide to stay in a hotel, bed and breakfast or a self-catering apartment for rent, you´ll find yourself falling in love with Paris in no time at all.

Basic Facts

Paris is situated in the north of France, on the river Seine, and is divided into 20 districts, or arrondissements, as they are locally known. Although the city has been around for hundreds of years, it really only became the cosmopolitan capital of chic it is today during the tail end of the 19th century. During this time the Emperor Napolean III set about ordering the creation of the beautiful and impressive buildings and boulevards that Paris is now famous for. However, pockets of the older, quainter Paris exist throughout the city, especially atop the famous hill of Montmartre. Should you find yourself a rental in one of the central arrondissements you´d be well advised to do most of your travelling on foot, as there are a wealth of nook and crannies easily missed from the comfort of a bus or métro seat. If however you are staying in a holiday apartment or bed and breakfast outside the city centre do make sure you are in close proximity to a métro station or bus stop.

Fun Facts

The lovely Pont Neuf bridge doesn´t translate as Bridge Nine, but rather as New Bridge, and was the first bridge in Paris not to have houses built on it.

The Eiffel Tower is high maintenance...it requires a new lick of 50 tons of paint every 7 years!

The original name of Paris is actually Lutetia Parisiorum.

The famous Père-Lachaise cemetery is the final resting place of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.

Think the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre are the most popular tourist destinations in Paris? Think again….it´s Disneyland Paris!

Things to do

One thing Paris isn´t short of is things to do. Here are some of the best of many options:1) Take a stroll down the Champ Elysees towards the Eiffel Tower, get a great view from the top and relax in a typical Parisian café afterwards with some delicious Millefeuille or Tarte au Citron.2) Go to one of the many open-air food markets and buy a feast of delicacies such as cured meat, fine cheeses, crusty breads and fine wines, and either go for a picnic, or if you are staying in self-catering accommodation, cook up a feast to enjoy at home.3) Go for a stroll along the river banks of the Seine, taking in the many sights on the way. Start on the Pont Neuf, cross over to Ile de la Cite to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Palais Justice and the Hôtel-Dieu, the oldest hospital building in Paris.4) Go for a meal in one of the many amazing restaurants Paris has to offer. Paris has the second highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world after Tokyo, but there are also many less glamourous establishments offering delicious local fare. 5) Visit some of the spectacular and impressive exhibitions that are held in the museums, most famously the Louvre, but also the Musée d'Orsay, the Centre Pompidou and the Petit Palais.

Getting around

As previously mentioned, if your apartment rental is situated close to the city centre, go sightseeing on foot. If your rental is a little further afield, you´ll surely not be far from one of the many subway stations of the Parisian métro that offer excellent connections to all parts of the city. There are a variety of tickets available, but before buying a weekly ticket, remember that much of Paris is accessible on foot, and it may be more economic to invest in a 10-pack of single tickets at a discount. Besides the métro there is also the RER network mainly used to reach the suburbs, as well as a local bus network. Wherever your accommodation is located, you should have no trouble getting around Paris.